We are all so enjoying your great questions Diana invited in her blog post the other day and we’re looking forward to answering as many as we can! I had a wonderful blog planned to speak to the chimpanzees’ sleeping routines and came in early to capture them waking up. They are so endearing in the mornings, typically happy and playful as they sleepily greet the humans. Some begin slow motion chase trains around the loft in anticipation of breakfast, some choose to sleep in until it’s time to eat, Burrito is ready to play wild games of chase, Foxie troll toss/chase, and others are anxious to get outside for a pre-breakfast stroll. It’s one of my favorite times of the day really.
But if you know chimpanzees, you know it’s pretty ridiculous to “plan” anything like a blog post. *Snort* *Guffaw* I mean, what was I thinking? Literally, two seconds in the door and all ten chimpanzees were wide awake and screaming and yelling at one another, nests flying through the air. Sigh…fingers and opposable thumbs crossed for next week, folks.
That said, the day was nothing short of wondrous and magical. I saw no less than six rainbows on the way to work this morning and as soon as we headed out for a pre-breakfast walk around Young’s Hill, we looked up to see this beauty over the sanctuary:
Jamie took one look outside and one look at me and immediately flew out the doorway to Young’s Hill:
Jody, Burrito, Jamie and Missy:
Foxie chose to explore on her own (and I didn’t capture any of Negra this morning, but safe to say you may picture her under a pile of cozy new blankets with a rainbow overhead):
Annie (and I) running to catch up:
I mean this is ridiculous, but what can I say, it’s just a magical place:
Can you believe the construction progress?!
After breakfast, Jamie was practicing her “bat pose” (perhaps for Jamieween, our celebration of her upcoming Halloween birthday!):
All ten of the chimpanzees were so incredibly playful ALL day long! We saw people doing moves we’ve never seen before! Foxie did a back-flip while spraying water out of her mouth. Mave was doing pirouettes and lying on her back while spin herself ’round and ’round. Willy B was playing a game of chase while swinging across the caging. It was amazing! And this went on all day! So we figured the only way to end such a joyful day was to have spaghetti dinner. Naturally. 😉
Now it’s a rare treat to serve the chimpanzees spaghetti and while we know the seven love it (it’s a common menu item for Burrito’s birthday), we anticipated the three, who tend to be a little distrustful of new food items, would most likely toss it on the ground at first sight so I prepared a backup dinner for them. But we wanted to give them the option to try it out and much to our surprise and delight, they LOVED it!! If you’re not sitting down for these photos Chad captured, now’s your chance to do so:
Willy B:
Mave:
And HONEY B!!:
Well, I look forward to picking up where I left off next time, but there’s a high wind advisory happening and the wind is not disappointing in that category. The chimpanzees are all tucked into their nests for the night safe and sound, warm and cozy, bellies full of spaghetti. I am going to get myself home and replicate that I think. Have a wondrous, magical, restful night (or day) wherever you may be. And keep any questions coming (while bearing with us on the responses – we really are looking forward to it)!
Tobin says
What beautiful pictures! This sanctuary really is a wonderful place. I hope that Jamie and you both made wishes on the rainbow as it graced the sky above Young’s Hill.
Leslie Sodaro says
great blog, great content, great photos. the new ‘camerack’ takes super pictures and the photographers just keep getting better and better!
CarolR says
Just when we think they couldn’t possibly get any more adorable, they surprise us once more. The spaghetti photos are just so wonderful. And to see them all running outside…..that’s what this is all about freedom, friends and lots of love. The pot/s of gold at the end of the rainbows are these very special chimpanzees.
Katelyn says
Aren’t they though?! <3
Linda C says
Oh, Katelyn, I can’t wait for all of this to end, not only for humanity’s sake, but so that you’ll once again be fully staffed, and pasta cam can make a return appearance!
My fav is Mave–she is all in!
Thanks for sharing the chimps, the sunshine, the rainbows!
Jo Arroyo says
Wow! You guys are awesome keep em coming. I enjoy each and every one of your posts! The chimps never disappoint, even on their slowest lazy non eventful days. Love you guys for loving the chimps.
Kathleen says
What a glorious rainbow filled day and CSNW must be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Thanks for the lead in to the last three photos! Oh my. So funny! I assume it’s plain simple spaghetti, no olive oil no nothing. Isn’t it funny that all ten chimps love it?! I mean look at Mave, she’s going for a face-plant right into her super fun and exciting paper boat! (I seriously can’t stop giggling over this)
Katelyn says
Hi Kathleen, I’m minutes away from face-planting into some spaghetti Mave-style. Isn’t she wonderful? And I entirely forgot to add to the post that it was more an autumn version of pasta primavera – pasta auttuno – with roasted red peppers, sweet potatoes and onions over top. Though most of the chimps kicked the veggies to the side to eat the noodles first. Also my style. 🙂
marianne says
I just LOOOve Mave inhaling her spaghetti, like a true Italian woman. Her deep laughingvoice and great huggability makes her (secretly ) my favorite…
Lisa says
Kathleen thanks so much for asking about the spaghetti topping. I was so curious myself. I hoped someone in the comments had similar thoughts and asked about it. To my delight you did and Katelyn had already commented.
Betsy says
My favorite blog post, ever. Thank you!
Elaine Reininger says
The pasta photos are so adorable. I woulda knocked off the veggie too. It amazes me that you all can dream up new ideas for these blogs. Not one has been duplicated through all the years I have been receiving them. Does anyone ever get writers block. The sanctuary is truly a remarkable place in every way. Can’t wait for Jamie-ween photos
Katelyn says
Hi Elaine, I could assure you we all get writer’s block at some point. 🙂 But I think there are a lot of contributing factors to those times – extra busy days, extra busy chimpanzees who don’t have time to sit for our silly camera or let us in on their secret chimpanzee days, and in my case, being very much a morning person as opposed to an end of the day person, haha. But I also think it’s safe to say that regardless, we all really enjoy writing the blog and sharing the chimpanzees’ lives with you all as much as everyone seems to enjoy it.
nancy potter says
I was wondering if I could make a request? When I give a donation to you you always send me a thank you and a picture! (which by the way I so appreciate!) 🙂 I don’t have a picture yet of Willy B! Do you think you could send me one next time? I am making a board at home with all of them and missing a few! please and thank you!
Nancy Potter
Katelyn says
Hi Nancy, Of course! We’re still working on the next round of thank yous so expect a photo of that handsome guy shortly! And thank *you* so much for your support and love of the chimpanzees! 🙂
Don says
I surely love all of the posts and all of the photos you guys are so wonderful to share with all of us ..but I must say, this blog particularly is one of my all time Faves. From the magic of
the rainbows (at a place that surely is sheer magic), to the spaghetti photos. Beyond charming and fabulous! thank you!